Methods, systems, and devices for multi-user treatment for improvement of reading comprehension using frequency altered feedback

ABSTRACT

Multi-user portable electronic devices for improving reading ability and/or comprehension for a plurality of subjects are provided. The multi-user portable electronic devices may include a pitch shifter circuit configured to generate frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signals corresponding to respective auditory speech signals received from respective active microphones, and to transmit the respective FAF signals to the plurality of subjects while one or more of the plurality of subjects are respectively reading aloud, to improve the plurality of subjects&#39; reading ability and/or comprehension. The multi-user portable electronic devices may also include a switch configured to activate the microphones selectively, serially. Related methods and systems are also described.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/748,565, filed on Jan. 3, 2013, entitled METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR MULTI-USER IMPROVEMENT OF READING COMPREHENSION USING FREQUENCY ALTERED FEEDBACK, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates to methods, systems, and devices for improving reading ability/comprehension.

BACKGROUND

Many children and adults suffer from reading disorders. For example, a student may have a reading ability (e.g., reading comprehension) level below that of typical students in his or her grade. Treatments that attempt to increase reading ability levels and comprehension may be expensive and/or strenuous. Accordingly, there remains a need for effectively and efficiently improving reading ability and comprehension.

SUMMARY

It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Various embodiments of the present inventive concepts include methods for improving reading ability (and/or comprehension) for at least one, typically a plurality of subjects. The methods may include providing a portable device in communication with a plurality of different microphones. The methods may include electronically activating a first microphone associated with a first subject using the portable device. The methods may include electronically receiving an auditory speech signal of the first subject using the first microphone. The methods may include electronically altering the received auditory speech signal to generate a first frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signal. The methods may include electronically administering the first FAF signal to the first subject while the first subject is speaking, to improve the first subjects reading ability (and/or comprehension). Then, the methods may include electronically activating a second microphone associated with a second subject using the portable device. The methods may include electronically receiving an auditory speech signal of the second subject using the second microphone. The methods may include electronically altering the received auditory speech signal of the second subject to generate a second FAF signal. The methods may include electronically administering the second FAF signal to the second subject while the second subject is speaking, to improve the second subjects reading ability (and/or comprehension).

According to various embodiments, electronically administering the first FAF signal to the first subject may be carried out to electronically administer the first FAF signal concurrently to the first and second subjects while the first subject is speaking to thereby improve the first and second subjects' reading ability (and/or comprehension).

Various embodiments of the present inventive concepts include methods for improving reading comprehension of one or more subjects. The methods include: (a) providing a portable device in communication with a plurality of different microphones; (b) electronically activating a first microphone associated with a first subject; (c) electronically receiving an auditory speech signal of the first subject using the first microphone; (d) electronically altering the received auditory speech signal to generate a first frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signal; (e) electronically administering the first FAF signal to: (i) the first subject; (ii) at least one other subject; or (iii) the first subject and at least one other subject while the first subject is speaking to improve reading comprehension of a respective subject.

The method may also include electronically activating a second microphone associated with a second subject using the portable device and deactivating the first microphone; electronically receiving an auditory speech signal of the second subject using the second microphone; electronically altering the received auditory speech signal of the second subject to generate a second FAF signal; and electronically administering the second FAF signal to the first and/or second subject while the second subject is speaking, to improve a respective subject's reading comprehension.

The electronic administration of the first FAF signal to the first subject can be carried out to electronically administer the first FAF signal concurrently to the first subject and at least one other subject while the first subject is speaking to thereby improve the first subject's and the at least one other subjects' reading comprehension.

The electronic administration of the second FAF signal to the second subject can be carried out to electronically concurrently administer the second FAF signal to the first and second subjects while the second subject is speaking to thereby improve the first and second subjects' reading comprehension.

The first FAF signal can be electronically administered to at least one other subject but not be administered to the first subject.

The first FAF signal can be generated by a reader reading aloud and the first FAF signal can be concurrently administered to a plurality of subjects but not the reader.

The activating steps can be carried out using an externally accessible manual switch on board the portable device.

The activating steps can be carried out using a remote input associated with a display that is in communication with the portable device.

The electronic activation of the second microphone can be carried out to substantially concurrently deactivate the first microphone corresponding to the first subject.

The electronic alteration of the received auditory speech signal of the first subject can include: electronically converting the received analog auditory speech signal to a digital signal in a frequency domain; electronically altering the frequency of the digital signal within a range of +/−2 octaves; then electronically converting the altered digital signal back to a time domain and into an analog signal to generate the first FAF signal that is electronically administered to the first subject.

The portable device can be configured as a multi-user portable electronic device. At least one of the steps of electronically converting the received analog signal, electronically altering the digital signal, and electronically converting the altered digital signal can be at least partially carried out using circuitry in the multi-user portable electronic device.

The multi-user portable electronic device can includes a wireless device that is remote from a headset worn by the first subject.

The multi-user portable electronic device can include a wired device that is remote from a headset worn by the first subject.

The first microphone can correspond to (e.g., be held by) a headset worn by the first subject.

The steps of electronically administering can be carried out as therapeutic treatment to improve the first and at least one other subjects' reading comprehension and each of the first and at least one other subject has a reading disorder.

The method may include programmably adjusting a frequency shift for the step of electronically altering the received auditory speech signal to generate the first FAF signal using an electronic device that includes a display.

The first subject and/or at least one other subject can be a pre-school, primary school, elementary school, middle school, or high school age student.

The methods can be carried out in a school setting.

The first subject or at least one other subject can be a college student.

The first subject can be an adult with a reading disorder.

Other embodiments are directed to systems for improving reading comprehension. The systems can include: (a) a first headset with a microphone; (b) at least one other headset in communication with the first headset, directly or indirectly; and (c) a portable electronic device configured to electronically communicate with the first microphone to generate a first frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signal associated with an auditory speech signal received by the first microphone and transmit the first FAF signal either (i) only to at least one other headset of respective subjects or (ii) to the first headset and at least one other headset of respective subjects, while the first subject is reading aloud to thereby improve reading comprehension of at least one subject.

The at least one other headset can include a second headset with a respective microphone. The system can be configured to selectively, serially generate (i) the first frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signal associated with an auditory speech signal received by the first microphone while a first subject with the first headset is reading aloud and (ii) a second FAF signal associated with an auditory speech signal received by the second headset microphone associated with a second subject when the second subject is reading aloud. The first FAF signal can be concurrently transmitted to both the first and second headsets of the first and second subjects when the first subject is reading aloud. The second FAF signal can be concurrently transmitted to both the first and second headsets when the second subject is reading aloud so that the first and second subjects each concurrently, serially receive both the first and second FAF signals to thereby improve the first and second subjects' reading comprehension.

The system can be configured so that the first FAF signal of the first headset is transmitted concurrently to a plurality of other headsets worn by a respective plurality of subjects while a user of the first headset reads aloud.

The first FAF signal can be generated using speech signal of a user reading aloud and wearing the first headset. The first FAF signal may not be transmitted to the first headset.

The portable electronic device can be remote from the headsets and can wirelessly communicate with the first microphone to generate the first FAF signal to shift frequency a desired amount within a range of between +/−2 octaves.

The portable electronic device can be or include a device that is releasably wired to the headsets to generate the FAF signals to shift a respective FAF signal a desired amount within a range of between +/−2 octaves.

The system can be configured to treat at least one school age student with a reading disability, to improve reading comprehension.

The system can be configured to treat an adult with a reading disability, to improve reading comprehension.

Still other embodiments are directed to multi-user portable electronic devices for improving reading comprehension for a plurality of subjects. The devices include a pitch shifter circuit configured to generate frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signals corresponding to respective auditory speech signals received from an active microphone while a user in communication with the microphone is reading aloud, and to concurrently transmit the respective FAF signals to a plurality of headsets of subjects to improve the plurality of subjects' reading comprehension.

The device can include a switch in communication with the circuit configured selectively, serially activate different microphones of different headsets.

Each of the plurality of headsets of subjects can concurrently, serially receives FAF signals from different subjects reading aloud.

The device can be configured to generate the FAF signals using a first headset holding the active microphone while a user wears the first headset and transmit the FAF signals to the plurality of subjects but not to the first headset.

The device can include a headset interface configured to transmit the auditory speech signals from the active microphone and/or to transmit the FAF signals to headsets; and a data interface configured to communicate with an electronic device that includes a display and a software application that manages the multi-user portable electronic device.

The software application can be configured to open when the software application detects that the multi-user portable electronic device is connected to the electronic device that includes the software application.

The software application can include a graphical user interface that is configured to allow a user to selectively start and/or stop processing of the auditory speech signals, and/or adjust volume levels of the auditory speech signals and/or the FAF signals.

The data interface can include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port.

The electronic device that includes the display and the software application can include one or more of a desktop, laptop, tablet, netbook, or notebook computer, or a smart phone.

The software application can be in removable media and/or can be stored in a non-transitory memory of the desktop, laptop, tablet, netbook, notebook computer, or smart phone.

The software application can be configured to track the FAF signals and to generate charts and/or graphs on the display to illustrate reading comprehension progress of the plurality of subjects.

The software application can provide programmable selection and/or adjustment of the FAF signals.

The device can include a non-volatile memory in communication with the circuit and/or device, wherein the multi-user portable electronic device is fully functional only in response to cooperation between the software application and a license file stored in the non-volatile memory.

The license file can correspond to a license that expires, such that the multi-user portable electronic device can be deactivated or is configured to be fully functional only before the license expires.

The headset interface can include a plurality of headset ports configured to connect the multi-user portable electronic device with a plurality of different headsets.

The headset ports can be configured to receive the auditory speech signals from respective microphones and to concurrently transmit the FAF signals from one subject reading aloud to earphones of the respective headsets of each subject.

The device can include a visual indicator of the activated microphone.

The device can have a portable housing. The visual indicator can include Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) held by the housing that serially illuminate to indicate which microphone is active.

The device can include a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert digital audio signals generated by the software application and/or the multi-user portable electronic device into analog audio signals to be transmitted to the headsets. The analog audio signals include the FAF signals.

The device can include an on-board microphone biasing and input amplifier circuit configured to process the auditory speech signals received from the active microphone.

The device can include an on-board headset amplifier circuit configured to amplify the FAF signals that are to be transmitted to the headsets.

In various embodiments, the multi-user portable electronic devices may include an on-board microphone biasing and input amplifier circuit configured to process the auditory speech signals received from the headsets.

According to various embodiments, the multi-user portable electronic devices may include an on-board headset amplifier circuit configured to amplify the FAF signals that are to be transmitted to the headsets.

It is noted that aspects of the invention described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in a different embodiment although not specifically described relative thereto. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination. Applicants reserve the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to be able to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner. These and other objects and/or aspects of the present invention are explained in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. The drawings and description together serve to fully explain embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 1A-1E are schematic illustrations of exemplary systems for improving reading ability and/or comprehension for a plurality of subjects, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1F is a top perspective view of a system for improving reading ability and/or comprehension for a plurality of subjects, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 1G is a block diagram that illustrates details of an exemplary processor and memory that may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 1H-1I are block diagrams that illustrate displays of electronic devices of the systems of any or all of FIGS. 1A-1E, according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 2A-2D are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of circuitry of a multi-user portable electronic device of the systems of any or all of FIGS. 1A-1J, according to various embodiments.

FIG. 3A-3D are flowcharts illustrating exemplary operations of reading (comprehension) improvement systems, according to various embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4D provide images of different views/angles of a multi-user portable electronic device, according to various embodiments. In particular, FIG. 4A is a top side perspective view of a multi-user portable electronic device. FIG. 4B is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4C is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4D is an opposing end view of the device shown in FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Specific exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts now will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concepts to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, like designations refer to like elements. Moreover, certain features, components, layers and/or regions in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “responsive” to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled or responsive to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected,” “coupled,” or “responsive” as used herein may include wirelessly connected, coupled, or responsive.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventive concepts. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The symbol “/” is also used as a shorthand notation for “and/or.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventive concepts belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

It will also be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element may be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of the present inventive concepts.

The term “about” means that the recited number or value can vary by +/−20%. Moreover, the term “FAF signal” refers to an auditory speech signal that is generated in response to a person speaking (e.g., reading aloud) and that has been shifted in frequency/pitch and provided as an altered feed auditory speech signal to that person or to another person or to both that person and another person. The FAF signal may stimulate mechanisms in the receiving person's brain to improve reading comprehension.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as systems, methods, and multi-user (portable) electronic devices. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, flash or thumb drives, memory sticks, CDs or other media, etc.). Furthermore, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product comprising a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, or transport the program or portions thereof for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

The term “APP” refers to a computer program configured to provide defined functionality associated with the FAF system on a computer with a display, typically via an icon on the display, including pervasive computing devices such as an electronic notebook or notepad, smart phone, lap top, and the like.

The terms “web-based” and “online” mean that the service is available using the World Wide Web (Internet), typically via least one server to communicate with different users. The communication protocol can include hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

The FAF treatment system can be provided using cloud computing which includes the provision of computational resources on demand via a computer network. The resources can be embodied as various infrastructure services (e.g., compute, storage, etc.) as well as applications, databases, file services, email, etc. In the traditional model of computing, both data and software are typically fully contained on the user's computer; in cloud computing, the user's computer may contain little software or data (perhaps an operating system and/or web browser), and may serve as little more than a display terminal for processes occurring on a network of external computers. A cloud computing service (or an aggregation of multiple cloud resources) may be generally referred to as the “Cloud”. Cloud storage may include a model of networked computer data storage where data is stored on multiple virtual servers, rather than being hosted on one or more dedicated servers.

The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other portable media with memory such as a memory stick or thumb drive. Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart and/or block diagram illustrations, may be implemented by computer program instructions and/or hardware operations. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means and/or circuits for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer usable or computer-readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer usable or computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions that implement the functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

Other systems and/or methods according to embodiments of the invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or devices be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

A. Systems for Improving Reading Ability/Comprehension for One or a Plurality of Subjects

Referring now to FIG. 1A, a schematic illustration is provided of a system 10 for improving reading ability and/or comprehension for a plurality of subjects. The subjects may include users, patients, and/or students, among other users of the system 10. As shown, the system 10 may include a multi-user portable electronic device 100, a plurality of headsets H₁-H₄, and an electronic device 120 that includes a display 122. The headsets H₁-H₄ may be worn by respective subjects while one or more of the subjects are reading aloud. In particular, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may be configured to receive a speech signal from one of the subjects, generate a frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signal based on the speech signal, and transmit the FAF signal to one, some or all of the respective headsets H₁-H₄ of the subjects, while one of the subjects is reading aloud, to improve one, some or all of the subjects' reading ability and/or comprehension.

One, some or all of the headsets H₁-H₄ may include respective microphones 50 (50 ₁, 50 ₂, 50 ₃, and 50 ₄, respectively) configured to provide speech signals (e.g., auditory speech signals) to the multi-user portable electronic device 100. The headsets H₁-H₄ may each include one or two earphones 40 (shown as two) configured to provide FAF signals and/or other audio signals from the multi-user portable electronic device 100 to one, some or all of the subjects. The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may be remote from the headsets H₁-H₄, and the same multi-user portable electronic device 100 may be used by all of the headsets H₁-H₄.

The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may include a switch 101 configured to select (e.g., activate) a particular microphone 50 (i.e., one of the microphones 50 ₁, 50 ₂, 50 ₃, or 50 ₄) corresponding to one of the headsets H₁-H₄. The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may include respective visual indicators V₁-V₄ configured to indicate that a particular microphone 50 is active. The visual indicators V₁-V₄ may include, for example, lights such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Moreover, it will be understood that a headset H described herein shall refer to any one of the headsets H₁-H₄, and that a visual indicator V described herein shall refer to any one of the visual indicators V₁-V₄.

The switch 101 can have an external user interface (e.g., a knob, dial, or the like, or a Graphical User Interface (GUI) on a display) on an outer surface of the multi-user portable electronic device 100. The switch 101 may have the same number of positions (e.g., four (4)) as the number of subjects/headsets H₁-H₄. Accordingly, a person supervising the subjects undergoing treatment may be able to select a microphone 50 corresponding to one of the headsets H₁-H₄ by manually/physically manipulating the switch 101 to a particular one of the positions. The person supervising the subjects may generally be referred to as a “user” or “reading supervisor” and may be a teacher, teacher assistant, language or learning disability professional, therapist, parent, school volunteer etc. In particular, the switch 101 may be a knob that a user may physically rotate to select a microphone 50 of a particular headset H.

Additionally or alternatively, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may include microphone switching circuitry 101 c in the multi-user portable electronic device 100 that may be controlled by the user via the electronic device 120 that has the display 122. The display 122 can present a GUI with a touch screen selection or mouse/cursor selection of different microphones 50 ₁-50 ₄. For example, the user may select (e.g., touch or click) icons or other boxes or buttons labeled one (1) through four (4) displayed on the display 122 to operate the switching circuitry 101 c. The system 10 can also switch between different microphones 50 ₁-50 ₄ at defined time intervals. As such, in some embodiments, the user may activate a microphone 50 of a particular headset H without physically touching the manual switch 101. Indeed, the on-board external switch 101 is not required in some embodiments.

As described herein, a visual indicator V may indicate that a corresponding headset H is selected by the switch 101/switching circuitry 101 c. In particular, a visual indicator V indicates that a microphone 50 of a corresponding headset H is active (e.g., may transmit signals to the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/or earphones 40 of the headsets H₁-H₄). As an example, if the switch 101/switching circuitry 101 c changes from making the first headset H₁ microphone active to making the microphone of the second headset H₂ active, then the second visual indicator V₂ can reflect this change visually. The visual indicators V₁-V₄ may be visually noticeable/sufficiently bright that a user working with the subjects can see the visual indicators V₁-V₄ from a suitable distance such as 1′-5′, or greater, across a table/room where the subjects are seated. For example, an LED corresponding to the first headset H₁ may light up if the switch 101/switching circuitry 101 c selects the first headset H₁, and an LED corresponding to the second headset H₂ may light up if the switch 101/switching circuitry 101 c selects the second headset H₂. The visual indicators V₁-V₄ may also or alternatively be on the headsets H₁-H₄ themselves.

Moreover, it will be understood that using the switch 101/switching circuitry 101 c to switch from selecting the first headset H₁ to selecting the second headset H₂ may deactivate transmissions from the microphone 50 ₁ of the first headset H₁ to the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/or to earphones 40 of the headsets H₁-H₄. In some embodiments, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 is configured so that only one microphone 50 is active at any one time, but the FAF signal generated by the selected/activated headset H/microphone 50 and the multi-user portable electronic device 100 can be transmitted concurrently to all of the headsets H₁-H₄.

The electronic device 120 having the display 122 may include a computer, television, and/or mobile phone (e.g., a smart phone), among other devices. It will be understood that a computer may include a desktop, laptop, netbook, tablet computer, and the like. The electronic device 120 having the display 122 may be configured to communicate with the multi-user portable electronic device 100, and may allow programmable selection and/or adjustment of FAF signals. For example, the electronic device 120 may include a keyboard, keypad, touchpad, mouse, etc. for selecting/adjusting FAF signals in conjunction with an application (e.g., a software application) displayed on the display 122.

The electronic device 120 having the display 122 may communicate with the multi-user portable electronic device 100 via a data interface 121. The data interface 121 may be a wired and/or wireless interface. For example, the data interface 121 may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and USB cable, a Bluetooth interface, a Wi-Fi interface, and/or the like.

Similarly, the headsets H₁-H₄ may communicate with the multi-user portable electronic device 100 via respective wired and/or wireless headset interfaces 111 (111 ₁, 111 ₂, 111 ₃, and 111 ₄, respectively). For example, the first headset H₁ may releasably connect to an audio port of the multi-user portable electronic device 100 via a cable that can be released from the audio port. The cable may be configured to transmit auditory speech signals from a subject to the multi-user portable electronic device 100, and to receive FAF signals and/or other audio signals from the multi-user portable electronic device 100.

As will be discussed below, in some embodiments, the data interface 121 may be onboard a computer 120 and used without requiring the portable device 100. The data interface 121 (and/or headset interfaces 111) for generating and/or transmitting the FAF signal may be accessed using an APP on a display. The APP may also or alternatively be configured to control the device 100, where used. The communication with the headsets and/or microphones of users or target subjects for treatment can be wired or wireless.

Although the first headset H₁ is illustrated in FIG. 1A as being connected to the multi-user portable electronic device 100 via a headset interface 111 ₁ that includes a cable, one or more of the headsets H₁-H₄ may additionally or alternatively be configured to connect to the multi-user portable electronic device 100 via a headset interface 111 that includes a wireless interface such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the like. As an example, FIG. 1B illustrates that the headset interfaces 111 ₁ and 111 ₄ of the first and fourth headsets H₁ and H₄, respectively, are wireless interfaces, and that the headset interfaces 111 ₂ and 111 ₃ of the second and third headsets H₂ and H₃, respectively, are wired interfaces.

Moreover, although a headset H may be a single unit that includes a microphone 50 and one or two earphones 40, it will be understood that a subject's microphone 50 and earphone(s) 40 may be separate (e.g., discrete) devices. For example, a subject may wear an earphone 40 in/on/near his or her ear and speak into a microphone 50 that is not physically connected to the earphone 40. As an example, the microphone 50 may be included in the multi-user portable electronic device 100 or the electronic device 120 that includes the display 122. As another example, the microphone 50 may be a discrete microphone that the user holds in his or her hands or rests on a table or floor. In other embodiments, the headset H can be an ear-supported device (e.g., an in-the-ear device or an over/around-the-ear device rather than an over-the-head device or a behind-the-neck device), such as the fourth headset H₄ illustrated in FIG. 1B. As such, the term “headset” is used broadly herein to refer to all configurations that transmit the FAF signal to the respective user ear(s) of a subject undergoing treatment, typically for improving reading comprehension.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may be partially or totally integrated on/within one or more of the headsets H₁-H₄ and/or the electronic device 120. As an example, the headsets H₁-H₄ may be wireless headsets, and the first wireless headset H₁ may include the multi-user portable electronic device 100, which may generate/administer a FAF signal for/to the first wireless headset H₁ and/or the wireless headsets H₂-H₄. Additionally or alternatively, the electronic device 120 may include the multi-user portable electronic device 100, which may generate/administer a FAF signal for/to one or more of the headsets H₁-H₄ (either wirelessly or through a wired interface). The numbers of headsets H that can concurrently receive an FAF signal is not limited to four, five or six. It is contemplated that systems can be configured to concurrently send FAF signals to between about 1-100 target subjects, typically between about 2-50 subjects, e.g., between about 2-20 or 3-10 subjects, and all typically in a common room. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may be embodied in circuitry integrated on/within one or more of the headsets H₁-H₄ and/or the electronic device 120, rather than being a discrete device that is spaced apart from the headsets H₁-H₄ and the electronic device 120. Such embodiments may reduce the amount of space, circuitry, and/or wires used by a system for improving reading ability and/or comprehension for a plurality of subjects.

Referring now to FIG. 1D, the system 10 can be used in a classroom for one or more student subjects. When used in the classroom, typically not all students will require headsets H. Thus, the system 10 can be used in a classroom setting so that some students have headsets H and others do not (the latter for those subjects having normal or above grade level reading skills or not requiring reading therapy). As shown, a user such as a teacher, teacher assistant, parent, student helper other volunteer, can read aloud into a microphone 50. The microphone 50 may be held on a headset H₁ but is not required to be so held. The system 10 receives the reader's speech signal and uses that speech signal to generate the FAF signal that is concurrently transmitted to one or more headsets H of subjects in the classroom or other location. The FAF signal is typically not transmitted back to the teacher or other “lead” reader.

The system 10 can be configured so that the reader's speech signal is wirelessly transmitted as an FAF signal to one or a plurality of different students concurrently, typically via respective headsets H. The number of students may vary, but it is contemplated that the system 10 can accommodate between about 1-100 different students, more typically between about 2-50, 2-20 or 3-31 different students, concurrently undergoing reading therapy using the FAF input. These student headsets may exclude microphones. The students may be following along the words of a book or other document being read aloud by the reader via a large single display 131, via a smaller, e.g., shared or “personal” display (not shown) or via a paper book. The system 10 can be configured so that text currently being read is highlighted on the screen. The system 10 can be configured to automatically “turn the page” on the display of a student subject when a reader turns the page of an electronic or physical book. The latter may be carried out using voice recognition, for example.

As the reader's headset H₁ may be configured so as to not transmit the FAF signal to the reader, no earphone or earpiece to output the FAF signal back to the reader is required. The FAF circuit can be held locally or remotely. The FAF circuit with data interface 121 and/or headset interfaces 111 can be partially or totally on the reader's headset H₁, on the computer 120, or on the user's headsets H₂-H₃ or distributed between more than one component.

FIG. 1E illustrates a system 10 similar to that shown in FIG. 1D. In this embodiment, the system 10 includes the FAF interface device 100 which may have amplifiers to be able to generate and deliver the concurrent FAF signals to the different users. The interface device can receive the reader's speech signal and generate the FAF signals. The reader can have a device with a microphone 50 and communication circuit that can wirelessly, or via cabling, communicate with the interface device 100 to transmit the speech signal for FAF output to headsets H of the student users. The interface device 100 can optionally communicate with a computer 200 (“computer” is used broadly to include any device with a computer/processor including, for example, smart phones, netbooks, notebooks or pads, laptops and the like) to control or facilitate operation of the system/FAF output.

Referring now to FIG. 1HF, two subjects are illustrated wearing the first and third headsets H₁ and H₃, respectively. As described herein, a plurality of subjects may take turns reading aloud using the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and the microphones 50 that are selectively, serially activated (e.g., one at a time). For example, the subject wearing the first headset H₁ may read aloud into the first microphone 50 ₁ of the first headset H₁. The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may responsively administer a FAF signal generated using the speech signal associated with the first microphone 50 ₁ to the first headset H₁ and/or the third headset H₃, and may thereby stimulate phonological processing brain mechanisms in one or both of the subjects.

FIG. 1H is a block diagram that illustrates details of an exemplary processor 104 and memory 103 that may be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1H illustrates an exemplary processor 104 and memory 103 of an electronic device 120, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The processor 104 communicates with the memory 103 via an address/data bus 130. The processor 104 may be, for example, a commercially available or custom microprocessor. Moreover, it will be understood that the processor 104 may include multiple processors. The memory 103 is representative of the overall hierarchy of memory devices containing the software and data used to implement various functions of the electronic device 120 as described herein. The memory 103 may include, but is not limited to, the following types of devices: cache, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash, SRAM, and DRAM.

As shown in FIG. 1H, the memory 103 may hold various categories of software and data, such as an operating system 132 and/or a software application 200. The operating system 132 controls operations of the electronic device 120. In particular, the operating system 132 may manage the resources of the electronic device 120 and may coordinate execution of various programs (e.g., the software application 200) by the processor 104.

B. FAF Signals

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a multi-user portable electronic device 100 described herein may administer (e.g., generate and/or deliver) a FAF signal to one or more subjects corresponding to one or more of the headsets H₁-H₄. In particular, a FAF signal may be delivered to a subject, proximate in time to when that the subject or another user is talking or speaking, to improve the subject's reading ability and/or comprehension. The terms “talking” and “speaking” are used interchangeably herein and include verbal expressions of voice, whether talking, speaking, whispering, singing, yelling, and whether to others or to oneself. In some embodiments, improving the subject's reading ability and/or comprehension may include reducing a reading disorder (e.g., disability or impairment) of the subject.

For example, a reading disorder may be diagnosed by standardized tests that establish that an individual subject is below an age level reading expectation, such as, but not limited to, the Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test. (See Carlson et al., Stanford Diagnostic Reading Test (NY, Harcourt Brace Javanovich, 1976).) A reading disorder may also be indicated by a comparison to the average ability of individuals of similar age. Moreover, a relative decline in a subject's own reading ability and/or comprehension may be used to establish the presence of a reading disorder.

A subject to be treated may be a child with a reduced reading ability and/or comprehension relative to an age level reading expectation based on a standardized diagnostic test. The child may be of pre-school age and/or primary/elementary/middle school age (e.g., grades K-8). Alternatively, a subject may be a teenager and/or high school student, an adult (e.g., of university student age or older), or an elderly person such as a senior citizen (e.g., greater than age 55, and typically greater than about age 62).

In some embodiments, a FAF signal may be provided by digital signal processing technology that provides programmably selectable operating parameters that can be customized to the needs of a subject and adjusted at desired intervals such as monthly, quarterly, annually, and the like, typically by a supervising adult, clinician, physician, or other user evaluating the subject. For example, referring now to FIG. 1H, programmably selectable and/or adjustable operating parameters may include +/− shifts in FAF (typically in about 500 Hertz (Hz)-200 Hz increments), linear gain control (such as about four 5-decibel (dB) step size increments), independent or individually adjustable “n” band gain controls (where n can be between about 2-20 bands with center frequencies ranging from 250-7000 Hz with 20 dB gain control settings).

As illustrated in FIG. 1H, FAF signals may be adjustable via the electronic device 120 by selecting a desired frequency displayed on the display 122. The frequency adjustment can be adjustable by desired Hertz increments and decrements and may be shifted up or down, or turned off. Octave adjustments may alternatively be generated and selectable. It will be understood, however, that in some embodiments, adjustment of FAF signals by an end user of the electronic device 120 may be limited/prevented. For example, adjustment of FAF signals may be performed responsive to pre-programmed functions/algorithms and/or subsequently installed updates of the software application 200 rather than by GUI-based adjustments by an end user of the electronic device 120.

Referring now to FIG. 1I, a FAF frequency shift or adjustment can be any desired shift, but is typically within about +/−2 octaves from the frequency of the detected auditory speech signal of a subject. In some embodiments, the frequency may be adjusted at least about +/−⅛ of an octave, and typically the frequency can be adjusted at least about +/−¼ of an octave from the detected auditory signal. According to some embodiments, the FAF signal can be adjusted so as to provide a frequency shift of at least about +/−½ of an octave. Alternatively, the frequency shift may be about +/−¾ to 1 octave. Other shifts, or multiples thereof, and/or different increments of octave shift, may be employed.

Moreover, it will be understood that a user may programmably adjust a frequency/octave shift as described herein using the electronic device 120 that includes the display 122. For example, the user may move a slider 123 of a GUI presented by the display 122 to produce a desired octave shift. In another example, the user may type or speak a number corresponding to the desired octave shift, or may touch/click on a button within a GUI presented by the display 122 corresponding to the desired octave shift. Although the user may select a precise amount of octave shift in some embodiments, the user may in other embodiments simply choose to increase or decrease the octave shift without explicitly selecting the amount of shift.

A frequency shift, measured in Hertz, will typically be dependent upon the input signal. For example, for a 500 Hz input signal, a one octave shift is about 1000 Hz. Similarly, a one octave shift of a 1000 Hz input signal is about 2000 Hz. The adjustment may be customized based on one or more of the particular reading disorder of the subject and/or the subject's response to a plurality of different “test” FAF settings during a set-up evaluation. Moreover, the frequency adjustment may be altered over time upon periodic evaluations. Additionally or alternatively, the frequency adjustment may be set to be automatically adjusted in frequency shift increments and/or decrements at desired intervals or upon a trigger from a user using the electronic device 120.

As illustrated in FIG. 1J, a user may select among the different microphones 50 ₁-50 ₄ by using the electronic device 120 that includes the display 122. For example, the first microphone 50 ₁ is indicated in FIG. 1J by the broken line around the number “1” on the display 122 as being the currently-selected microphone. The user may switch to receiving auditory speech signals from a different one of the microphones 50 ₁-50 ₄, however, by selecting a different one of the corresponding numbers 1-4 via a GUI of the electronic device 120.

FIG. 1J further illustrates that a GUI of the electronic device 120 may additionally or alternatively include a start and/or stop button that controls starting and/or stopping of processing of auditory speech signals by the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/or the electronic device 120. In other words, the start/stop button(s) may control receipt of the auditory speech signals from the microphones 50 ₁-50 ₄ and/or responsive generation of FAF signals. In some embodiments, the GUI may illustrate a status (e.g., “processing auditory speech signals,” “idle,” “stopped,” “processing completed,” etc.) of the multi-user portable electronic device 100. The status may optionally include an indication of how long (e.g., 59 seconds) that particular status has been ongoing.

Referring still to FIG. 1J, a GUI of the electronic device 120 may include main volume controls (e.g., to adjust a volume level of a FAF signal provided to one or more of the headsets H₁-H₄) and/or microphone volume controls (e.g., to adjust a volume level of an auditory speech signal received from a microphone 50). Moreover, in some embodiments, a GUI of the electronic device 120 may include a FAF Signal Processing Options button, which may control access to signal processing options/controls such as those illustrated in FIGS. 1H and/or 1I. Alternatively, the signal processing options/controls may be included on the same screen/menu as one or more of the features illustrated in FIG. 1J. Furthermore, FIG. 1J illustrates a Finish/Done/Exit button that closes/minimizes the software application 200 that is being executed on or using the electronic device 120.

C. Circuitry of Exemplary Multi-User Portable Electronic Devices 100

Examples of circuitry of a multi-user portable electronic device 100 are illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D. For example, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may include circuitry configured to receive an auditory speech signal generated by a subject's speech. In one example, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may include an on-board microphone biasing and input amplifier circuit (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2C) that is configured to process auditory speech signals received from one or more of the headsets H₁-H₄. Moreover, the auditory speech signal may be an analog input signal of sound produced by a microphone of a headset H. An Analog-to-Digital converter of the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may then convert the analog input signal into a digital input signal.

The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may include a pitch shifter circuit (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2D) that receives the digital signal. The pitch shifter circuit may be configured to generate a FAF signal and to provide the FAF signal as an output that may then be fed into a Digital-to-Analog (D/A) converter. The analog signal output from the D/A converter may then be passed through a low pass filter (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2D) to accurately reproduce the FAF of the original signal. The earphone(s) 40 of the headset H may then recreate a FAF version of the subject's spoken words. Moreover, before a signal is transmitted from the multi-user portable device electronic device 100 to the headsets H₁-H₄, the output of the low pass filter may be fed into an adjustable gain amplifier (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2B) to allow a user using the electronic device 120 including the display 122 to adjust the output volume of the signal. In some embodiments, the adjustable gain amplifier may include on-board headphone amplifier circuits corresponding to respective headsets H₁-H₄.

D. Software Applications 200 of Exemplary Electronic Devices 120 that Include the Display 122

The electronic device 120 that includes the display 122 may include the software application 200, which may manage/control the multi-user portable electronic device 100. The software application 200 may be stored in a non-transitory memory of the electronic device 120 or held in removable media, e.g., a memory stick, thumb drive or CD ROM. Additionally or alternatively, the software application 200 may be accessed via a network interface of the electronic device 120. The software application 200 may be configured to start/open in response to the electronic device 120 detecting that the multi-user portable electronic device 100 is connected to the electronic device 120.

Referring back to FIG. 1J, the software application 200 may include a GUI that allows a user using the electronic device 120 to start and/or stop processing of the auditory speech signals, and/or to adjust volume levels of the auditory speech signals and/or the FAF signals. The software application 200 may additionally or alternatively provide programmable selection and/or adjustment of the FAF signals. Moreover, referring back to FIG. 1I, the software application 200 may track (e.g., using data capture features) the FAF signals and generate charts and/or graphs on the display 122 to illustrate the reading ability and/or comprehension progress of one or more of the plurality of subjects. For example, FIG. 1I illustrates that the display 122 may indicate the most recent FAF signal octave shift and/or a graph of one subject's (e.g., a first subject's) reading ability and/or comprehension progress and/or a chart of another subject's (e.g., a second subject's) reading ability and/or comprehension progress.

In some embodiments, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/or data interface 121 may include a non-volatile memory, which may store a license file that is specific to the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/or the software application 200. The license file may be any file/key that is necessary for the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/or the software application 200 to generate FAF signals. Accordingly, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may be fully functional only in response to cooperation between the software application 200 and the license file. For example, the license file may correspond to a license/subscription that expires after a particular date or time period (e.g., 6 months or 1 year, etc.), such that the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may be fully functional only before the license/subscription expires. The license file may include a password or code. Additionally or alternatively, accessing the license file may require a user to provide a password or code. In some embodiments, the license file can be remotely accessed to activate/deactivate the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/or the software application 200.

Using the license file with the multi-user portable electronic device 100 as described herein may help to protect against misuse (e.g., unauthorized use) of the software application 200 and/or the multi-user portable electronic device 100. In other words, the software application 200 may be fully functional only in combination with a valid license/subscription of the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/or the software application 200. Moreover, it will be understood that more than one license file may be stored in the multi-user portable electronic device 100.

Referring back to FIG. 1G, the software application 200 may receive (a) the license file and/or (b) microphone switch inputs (e.g., signals indicating that a user has switched between the microphones 50 using the switch 101) from the multi-user portable electronic device 100 via the processor 104 of the electronic device 120. Additionally or alternatively, the processor 104 may transmit (c) FAF signals that have been adjusted using the software application 200, and/or (b) microphone switch inputs corresponding to a user's switching between the microphones 50 using the software application 200, to the multi-user portable electronic device 100.

The following are examples of installing/starting the software application 200, along with examples of connecting headsets (which may be the headsets H₁-H₄) and a computer (which may be the electronic device 120 having the display 122) to the multi-user portable electronic device 100. Although a Compact Disc (CD) is described, it will be understood that the software application 200 may be downloaded via the Internet or a local network, or installed from a flash drive or other media.

i. Software Application 200 Installation

The software application 200 needs to be installed before hardware (e.g., the multi-user portable electronic device 100) is connected to the electronic device 120. Close all other applications and insert the CD (or e.g., memory stick, thumb drive or other device) with operating instructions/communication protocol for the device 100 in the electronic device 120's port. The installation process should begin automatically. If not, locate the files on the installation disk (e.g., using Windows Explorer) and click on setup.exe. Be sure to select the folder that has your computer operating system (e.g., Windows XP, Windows 7, or an Apple or Linux/Unix operating system).

ii. Connecting Headsets H to the Multi-User Portable Electronic Device 100

The headset package includes the headset H and two accessory cables 112, 113 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 4A). A user need only connect to the set with the green and pink connectors. Plug the headsets H into the multi-user portable electronic device 100 using the adaptor with the green and pink connectors.

iii. Connecting the Multi-User Portable Electronic Device 100 to the Electronic Device 120

The multi-user portable electronic device 100 is now ready to plug into a USB port 121 on the electronic device 120. A display window should appear telling you that the electronic device 120 has found a new device. The front panel of the multi-user portable electronic device 100 has four LEDs V₁-V₄ and one push button 101. By pushing and releasing the button 101 the LEDs V₁-V₄ will light up sequentially. When an LED V is on, it's indicating which of the four microphones 50 ₁-50 ₄ is active.

iv. Starting the Software Application 200

The software application 200 will not open if the hardware (e.g., the multi-user portable electronic device 100) is not connected to the electronic device 120. Once the software application 200 is open, you will see a play/stop (or start/stop) button, main volume and microphone volume controls, and a finish or “done” button. The play/stop button starts and stops the processing. The main volume and microphone volume controls adjust the audio levels. The “done” button exits the program. You cannot exit while the software application 200 is processing. The play/stop button must indicate “stop.”

E. Operations for Improving Reading Comprehension for a Plurality of Subjects

FIGS. 3A-3D provide flowcharts illustrating operations (e.g., methods, processes, etc.) for improving reading ability and/or comprehension for a plurality of subjects. Referring now to FIG. 3A, the operations may include receiving, at the multi-user portable electronic device 100, an auditory speech signal of a first subject at a first frequency (Block 301). For example, the first subject may be a person wearing a first headset H₁ and may speak into a microphone 50 ₁ of the first headset H₁ to generate the auditory speech signal. The multi-user portable electronic device 100 (e.g., using its pitch shifter circuit) and/or the electronic device 120 including the display 122 may then electronically alter the first frequency of the received auditory speech signal to generate a first FAF signal (Block 302). The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may electronically administer the first FAF signal to the first subject while the first subject is speaking, and doing so may improve the first subject's reading ability and/or comprehension (Block 303). It is contemplated that a FAF signal may stimulate central mechanisms in a subject's brain responsible for phonological processing, and such stimulation may improve the subject's reading ability and/or comprehension. Specifically, a FAF signal may allow a subject to hear his or her voice with a shift in pitch/frequency while reading.

After the multi-user portable electronic device 100 electronically administers the first FAF signal to the first subject, a user using the electronic device 120 and/or the display 122 may select a second subject to speak (Block 304). For example, the user may manually operate the switch 101, or may use an application displayed on the display 122 of the electronic device 120, to activate a microphone 50 ₂ of the second headset H₂ worn by the second subject. After the microphone 50 ₂ of the second subject is activated, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 receives an auditory speech signal of the second subject at a second frequency (Block 305). The second frequency may be different from the first frequency of the first subject's auditory speech signal. The multi-user portable electronic device 100 and/or the electronic device 120 including the display 122 then electronically alters the second frequency of the received auditory speech signal to generate a second FAF signal (Block 306). Next, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may electronically administer the second FAF signal to the second subject while the second subject is speaking, which may improve the second subject's reading ability and/or comprehension (Block 307). In other words, each of the first and second subjects may have a reading disorder, and administering the FAF signals may provide therapeutic treatment to improve the first and second subjects' reading abilities.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, FIG. 3B includes Blocks 301, 302, and 304-306 of FIG. 3A, and further includes Blocks 303′ and 307′, which are modifications of Blocks 303 and 307 of FIG. 3A, respectively. In particular, FIG. 3B illustrates that, in some embodiments, each of the subjects connected to the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may receive each FAF signal, even FAF signals corresponding to auditory speech signals generated by other subjects. For example, electronically administering the first FAF signal may include concurrently electronically administering the first FAF signal to both of the first and second subjects while the first subject is speaking (Block 303′). In other words, the first subject wearing the first headset H₁ and second subject wearing the second headset H₂ may each hear the same FAF signal substantially simultaneously. Electronically administering the first FAF signal to both of the first and second subjects may stimulate phonological processing brain mechanisms in both of the first and second subjects, and may thus improve both the first subject's reading ability and/or comprehension and the second subject's reading ability and/or comprehension.

Similarly, electronically administering the second FAF signal to the second subject may include concurrently electronically administering the second FAF signal to the first and second subjects while the second subject is speaking, which may improve both the first subject's reading ability and/or comprehension and the second subject's reading ability and/or comprehension (Block 307′). Moreover, although FIGS. 3A and 3B only indicate first and second subjects, it will be understood that if three or four subjects are connected to the multi-user portable electronic device 100, then all three or all four subjects (e.g., wearing corresponding headsets H₁-H₄) may concurrently receive every FAF signal generated by the multi-user portable electronic device 100, regardless of which one of the subjects is speaking.

For example, referring now to FIG. 3C, FIG. 3C includes Blocks 301, 302, and 304-306 of FIG. 3B, and further includes Blocks 303″ and 307″, which are modifications of Blocks 303′ and 307′ of FIG. 3B, respectively. In particular, Blocks 303″ and 307″ of FIG. 3C illustrate that, in some embodiments, each of the FAF signals may be administered to four subjects concurrently. However, a single user or more than four users may be accommodated at any one therapy session using the device.

Referring now to FIG. 3D, FIG. 3D includes Blocks 301 and 302 of FIG. 3A, and further includes Blocks 303′″. The FAF signal is transmitted to one or more other subjects while the reader is reading aloud using the readers speech signal but the FAF signal is not transmitted to the reader (Block 303′″).

Additionally or alternatively, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may provide auditory speech signals to each of the subjects before the multi-user portable electronic device 100 converts the auditory speech signals to FAF signals, regardless of which one of the subjects is speaking.

As described herein, in some embodiments the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may serially receive auditory speech signals from a plurality of subjects or from a reader that is not undergoing treatment. The auditory speech signals may be received as analog signals. For example, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may receive an analog auditory speech signal from a subject at a particular frequency. The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may then electronically alter the particular frequency by: (a) electronically converting the received analog auditory speech signal to a digital signal in a frequency domain; (b) electronically altering the frequency of the digital signal within a range of +/−2 octaves; and (c) electronically converting the altered digital signal back to a time domain and into an analog signal to generate a FAF signal that can be administered to one or more subjects. Moreover, the FAF signal may be generated and administered without any substantial (e.g., programmably defined) delay.

F. Exemplary Operation of the Multi-User Portable Electronic Device 100

According to various embodiments described herein, a plurality of subjects may take turns reading aloud using the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and the microphones 50 that are selectively, serially activated (e.g., one at a time). In particular, a subject wearing a headset H may read aloud into a microphone 50 of the headset H, and the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may responsively administer a FAF signal to the headset H alone, to that headset and other headsets, or only to other headsets. In some embodiments, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may administer the FAF signal of one subject to a plurality of the headsets H₁-H₄, and may thereby stimulate phonological processing brain mechanisms in a plurality of subjects simultaneously. Accordingly, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may improve the reading abilities of a plurality of subjects simultaneously, even though only one of the subjects' microphone 50 is active or will be active at a given time.

It is contemplated that the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may improve the subjects' reading abilities by multiple grade levels (e.g., one to four grade levels) immediately (i.e., after a single use/reading session) or within a school year over multiple sessions.

The multi-user portable electronic device 100 may therefore effectively and efficiently improve the reading abilities of a plurality of subjects. Additionally, where used, the portability of the multi-user portable electronic device 100, the high quality of the FAF signals administered by the multi-user portable electronic device 100, and the combinability of the multi-user portable electronic device 100 with the electronic device 120 including the display 122 may make the multi-user portable electronic device 100 relatively easy for a user to use with subjects.

FIGS. 4A-4D provide images of different views/angles of an example of a compact, portable multi-user portable electronic device 100 that accommodates up to four headsets H₁-H₄. FIGS. 4A and 4C illustrate a headset H connected to the multi-user portable electronic device 100 using separate microphone and earphone audio ports M, E. For example, FIG. 4A illustrates that the cable 111 of a headset H may include individual (e.g., discrete) microphone and earphone cables 112, 113 that are configured to communicate microphone and earphone signals, respectively. The individual microphone and earphone audio cables 112, 113 may provide increased durability in comparison with a single cable that carries both microphone and earphone signals. Accordingly, the multi-user portable electronic device 100 may include separate microphone and earphone audio ports M (M₁-M₄), E (E₁-E₄) for each of the headsets H₁-H₄. As an example, FIG. 4A illustrates a second microphone audio port M₂ and a second earphone audio port E₂ that may be used to releasably connect the multi-user portable electronic device 100 and the second headset H₂.

FIG. 4B illustrates a view of the top external surface of the multi-user portable electronic device 100, which includes four visual indicators V₁-V₄ and a button (which may be the switch 101) therebetween. FIG. 4C illustrates a side of the multi-user portable electronic device 100 that includes microphone and earphone audio ports (M₁ and E₁, and M₂ and E₂) for the first and second headsets H₁ and H₂, as well as a USB port (which may be the data interface 121). FIG. 4D illustrates a side of the multi-user portable electronic device 100 that is opposite the side illustrated in FIG. 4C. In particular, FIG. 4D illustrates a side that includes microphone and earphone audio ports (M₃ and E₃, and M₄ and E₄) for the third and fourth headsets H₃ and H₄. Moreover, although some subjects may become distracted if more than four subjects use the multi-user portable electronic device 100 together, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, more or fewer than four subjects may use the same multi-user portable electronic device 100 simultaneously.

In the present specification, various embodiments of the inventive concepts have been disclosed and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible for the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the teachings and advantages of the inventive concepts. The inventive concepts are defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein. 

1. A method for improving reading comprehension, comprising: providing a portable device in communication with a plurality of different microphones; electronically activating a first microphone associated with a first subject; electronically receiving an auditory speech signal of the first subject using the first microphone; electronically altering the received auditory speech signal to generate a first frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signal; and electronically administering the first FAF signal to: (i) the first subject; (ii) at least one other subject; or (iii) the first subject and at least one other subject while the first subject is speaking to improve reading comprehension of a respective subject.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: electronically activating a second microphone associated with a second subject using the portable device and deactivating the first microphone; electronically receiving an auditory speech signal of the second subject using the second microphone; electronically altering the received auditory speech signal of the second subject to generate a second FAF signal; and electronically administering the second FAF signal to the first and/or second subject while the second subject is speaking, to improve a respective subject's reading comprehension.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein electronically administering the first FAF signal to the first subject is carried out to electronically administer the first FAF signal concurrently to the first subject and at least one other subject while the first subject is speaking to thereby improve the first subject's and the at least one other subjects' reading comprehension.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein electronically administering the second FAF signal to the second subject is carried out to electronically concurrently administer the second FAF signal to the first and second subjects while the second subject is speaking to thereby improve the first and second subjects' reading comprehension.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first FAF signal is administered to at least one other subject and is not administered to the first subject.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first FAF signal is generated by a reader reading aloud and the first FAF signal is concurrently administered to a plurality of subjects but not the reader.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the activating steps are carried out using an externally accessible manual switch on board the portable device.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the activating steps are carried out using a remote input associated with a display that is in communication with the portable device.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein electronically activating the second microphone is carried out to substantially concurrently deactivate the first microphone corresponding to the first subject.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein electronically altering the received auditory speech signal of the first subject comprises: electronically converting the received analog auditory speech signal to a digital signal in a frequency domain; electronically altering the frequency of the digital signal within a range of +/−2 octaves; then electronically converting the altered digital signal back to a time domain and into an analog signal to generate the first FAF signal that is electronically administered to the first subject.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the portable device comprises a multi-user portable electronic device, and wherein at least one of the steps of electronically converting the received analog signal, electronically altering the digital signal, and electronically converting the altered digital signal is at least partially carried out using circuitry in the multi-user portable electronic device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the multi-user portable electronic device comprises a wireless device that is remote from a headset worn by the first subject.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the multi-user portable electronic device comprises a wired device that is remote from a headset worn by the first subject.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first microphone corresponds to a headset worn by the first subject.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of electronically administering are carried out as therapeutic treatment to improve the first and at least one other subjects' reading comprehension and each of the first and at least one other subject has a reading disorder.
 16. The method of claim 1, further comprising programmably adjusting a frequency shift for the step of electronically altering the received auditory speech signal to generate the first FAF signal using an electronic device that includes a display.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the first subject and/or at least one other subject is a pre-school, primary school, elementary school, middle school, or high school age student, adult and/or college student. 18-20. (canceled)
 21. A system for improving reading comprehension, comprising: a first headset with a microphone; at least one other headset in communication with the first headset, directly or indirectly; and a portable electronic device configured to electronically communicate with the first microphone to generate a first frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signal associated with an auditory speech signal received by the first microphone and transmit the first FAF signal either (i) only to at least one other headset of respective subjects or (ii) to the first headset and at least one other headset of respective subjects, while the first subject is reading aloud to thereby improve reading comprehension of at least one subject. 22-28. (canceled)
 29. A multi-user portable electronic device for improving reading comprehension for a plurality of subjects, comprising: a pitch shifter circuit configured to generate frequency altered auditory speech feedback (FAF) signals corresponding to respective auditory speech signals received from an active microphone while a user in communication with the microphone is reading aloud, and to concurrently transmit the respective FAF signals to a plurality of headsets of subjects to improve the plurality of subjects' reading comprehension. 30-47. (canceled)
 48. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable device includes or is in communication with an electronic device comprising a software application in removable media and/or stored or accessed in a non-transitory memory of a desktop, laptop, tablet, netbook, notebook computer, or smart phone. 